Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has told thousands of supporters he plans to declare victory as he claimed massive fraud was responsible for preliminary results putting his rival ahead.

Taliban fighters today warned Afghans not to take part in the war-wracked country’s forthcoming presidential runoff, threatening to launch a fresh wave of violence on polling day to stop them.

Preparations are in full swing in the run-up to the presidential elections in Afghanistan next month and no effort will be spared to ensure security, said the United Nations.